Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) - A fragrant spectacle in record time

As the day draws to a close and most garden plants shut their blooms, that's when the real show begins for this exotic climbing plant! The moonflower, also known as moon vine and white morning glory. (botanically Ipomoea alba, formerly known by the old name Calonyction album) is a true beauty from the genus Ipomoea and transforms mild summer evenings into a magical experience.

Scope of delivery: Young plant in a 9cm pot. (approx. 10cm)

One of the most beautiful flowering plants ever

In English-speaking countries, it is called "Tropical white morning-glory" - but in fact, it is the undisputed queen of the night. For me personally, it is one of the most fascinating and breathtaking flowering plants you can have in your garden or on your balcony. Its gigantic, pure white and velvety blooms reach an impressive size of up to 15 centimeters and are streaked with elegant, delicate greenish stripes. It celebrates its absolute peak bloom in mid-summer, precisely when the days are longest and we prefer to spend our evenings outdoors.

The evening spectacle: Blossom magic in record time

The most spectacular thing about the moon vine is its rhythm. As soon as dusk sets in, it awakens to life. The large buds open at such a speed that you can literally watch it happen! Within just 15 minutes, the complete flower unfurls.

Once fully open, it emits a wonderful, intoxicating scent that attracts moths and enchants the senses. A particularly magical detail: countless tiny dewdrops form in the deep center of the flower, glistening in the pale evening or moonlight and giving the flower an almost fairy-tale aura.

Mystery & An ancient secret of the Maya

Even in the Victorian era, the moonflower was the absolute star in so-called "moonlight gardens" - special gardens that were planted exclusively with white-blooming, nocturnal plants for walking in the moonlight.

But it harbors an even older, almost incredible secret: The ancient high cultures of Mesoamerica, such as the Maya and Aztecs, used precisely this plant for their famous, ritual ball games! They discovered that the sulfur-containing sap of the Ipomoea alba, mixed with the resin of the rubber tree, yielded an elastic mass. With the help of the moonflower, they thus invented the world's first functional rubber - over 3,000 years before modern vulcanization was discovered!

Growth, Care & Proper handling of the roots

The moonflower grows as a vigorous climbing plant and easily conquers fences, trellises or obelisks in pots. To ensure it develops its full splendor, you should observe the following tips:

• The perfect location: As a true tropical plant, it loves full sun and warmth. Give it the warmest spot on your terrace or in your garden.

• Watering & Fertilizing: A plant that grows so rapidly and produces such gigantic flowers needs plenty of food and drink! Keep the soil consistently moist on warm summer days (but avoid waterlogging). During the growth phase, it also appreciates regular fertilization (approx. every 1 to 2 weeks) so it doesn't run out of steam.

• The root tip (repotting): The fine roots of the moonflower are quite sensitive. Absolutely wait to repot into a larger container until the current pot is completely root-bound. This way, the root ball will hold together perfectly when you move it. Then simply and very carefully place it into the new soil without tearing or loosening the ball.

• Perennial through winter: In our latitudes, it is often grown as an annual, but it doesn't have to be! The moonflower is perennial if you bring it indoors before the first frost. In a bright and cool place, it can be overwintered wonderfully, so that the nightly flower spectacle can continue directly next summer.

Bring a piece of nocturnal magic and ancient history into your home with the moonflower and experience your very own private, fragrant nature cinema every summer evening!